Apparatus for dispensing beverages.



J. I. EDMUNDSON.

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13. I9I6.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

JEBONE JOSIAH EDMUNDSON, 0E BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedNov. 13, 1917.

Application filed September 13, 1916. Serial No. 119,928.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JERONE JOSIAH En- MUNDSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Birmingham, in the county or Jefferson and State ofAlabama, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Dispensing Beverages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing beverages, andmore particularly to a relatively small portable apparatus designed tokeep or dispense liquids or beverages at uniform consistency andtemperature.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple andpractical apparatus of the above general character wh ch will be cheapto manufacture and having relatively few parts, thereby permitting thesame to be easily and quickly assembled.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above general characterso constructed as to keep the beverages contained therein atsubstantially uniform temperature and consistency for a reasonablelength of time.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and inpart indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of thisinvention.

This invention accordingly cons1sts in the features of construction,combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members, and inthe relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as morecompletely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend theunderlying features thereof that they may embody the same by thenumerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by thisinvention, drawings depicting several forms have been annexed as a partof this disclosure, and in such drawings like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts throughout all the views, in wl11c h Figures1, 2, 3 and 4: are sect onal elevational views. partly diagrammatic, ofmodified forms of apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the same part, and

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatlc transverse sectional plan View showing thepreferred form or arrangement for a multicell container. v

In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the present invention itmay bei stated that the present apparatus is particularly designed fordispensing what may be known as soft mixed drinks, such as ginger ale,coca-cola and the like, and may be made relatively small, compact, andportable, convenient for automobile parties, picnics, and the like. Onthe other hand, however, it may be made of a larger size, particularlyadapted for soda fountain trade, in which the containers of the mixeddrinks are delivered every three or four days, and guaranteed to keepcold for a similar length of time. The delivered contents are thenplaced within an outer container or cabinet and dispensed in a manner aswill appear clear from the following dcscription:

Referring now to Fig. 1, 10 denotes a casing of substantiallyrectangular shape, preferably double wall, and provided between thewalls with suitable packing material 11, such as mineral wool. Anair-tight cover ,or opening closure 12 is provided at the top, having abushing 18 into which an outlet pipe 14 projects. The other part 15 ofthe outlet pipe is provided with a tap or faucet 16 adapted to withdrawthe liquid contents from a receptacle 17 'mounted within the container10. Supporting legs 18 hold the container 17 in spaced relation withrespect to the walls of the chamber or casing '10. This receptacle 17,which is adapted to contain the beverages to be dis: pensed, is providedwith a pressure regulator valve 20. The cover 12 is also provided withan air valve 21. It is of course to be understood that the receptacle 17may be degree with the beverage to be dispensed and placed within thecontainer or casing 10 after removing the inlet door 12. The pipes; I

14 and 15 are connected and air is forced into the interior of thecasing 10 through valve 21 to any desired pressure. Very cold air ispreferably used in order to keep the temperature of the liquid orbeverage as low as possible within the insulated casing 10.

The pressure regulator valve 20 is adjusted to permit the passage of airtherethrough at a certain pressure to the upper part of the receptacle17. This will force the beverage out through the pipes 1 1 and 15 whenthe faucet 16 is opened. T he cold air admitted through the pressureregulator valve 20 will in this manner keep the temperature of thebeverage comparatively low and thereby increase the eliiciency of thedevice.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown substantially the sameconstruction of casing 10, container 17, outlet pipes 1d and 15 andfaucet 16. This apparatus however is more particularly designed fordispensing carbonated beverages, and an additional receptacle orcylinder 25 of carbon dioxid is preferably admitted through the opening12, and connected with the receptacle 1? by means of pipe 26, which isalso provided with a regulator valve 20.

An air valve 26 is provided in the cover 12 but it will be noted thatthis valve operates in a manner opposite to the operation of valve 21,for in this modification the interior of the casing 10 is kept atreduced pressure or vacuum instead of being filled with compressed air.

In using a device of this character the receptacle 1? after being filledwith the beverage to be dispensed is passed in through the opening 12 tothe supporting racks 18 and the pipes 14 and 15 connected through abushing 15. The air chamber 25 is then positioned within the casing 10and connected with the receptacle 17 as shown. The cover is screwed intoplace or otherwise secured in airtight manner, and the air exhaustedfrom the casing 10 through valve 26 It is of course to be understoodthat valve 27 connected with the air cylinder 25 is opened to permit theflow of the carbon dioxid into the receptacle 17, thereby to force outand partially carbonate the beverage contained therein.

On opening the faucet 16 the beverage will be forced upwardly throughthe pipe 14 under the pressure of the carbonating gas. At this point itmay be stated that in filling the receptacle 1? there is preferably useda frozen mixture of syrup or flavoring extracts and plain water withwhich it is mixed. Thus for example the desired proportions of plain ordistilled water and cocacola syrup are mixed and frozen into small cubesor into a large cube which is subsequently crushed and this crushed icemixture ispacked into the receptacle 17 and the cover 22 ,gscrewed intoplace. This mixture will of course gradually melt but if kept in avacuun chamber, as shown in Fig. 2, several days time will probably berequired. The length of time may of course be varied at will by usingless ice and more water. If for example the device is to be used on anautomobile trip of a few days duration a comparatively small amount ofice and a relatively large amount of water is used in filling thereceptacle 1?, while on the other hant if the apparatus is used inconnection with a soda-fountain and the receptacle 17 is of the capacityof several galions, then it is preferably filled practically solid witha frozen mixture. in this way the beverage is kept at a substantiallyuniform temperature and consistency and the weakening of the drink bymelting ice as would otherwise occur is thereby eliminated.

The modification shown in Fig. 3 is substantially tne same inconstruction and operation as that shown in Fig. 2. This modiiicationhowever is provided with a tube 30 depending within the receptacle 17the lower end of which is provided with a rotary agitator 31 as shownclearly in Figs. 5 and 6. The carbon dioxid gas passing through the pipe30 from the receptacle or cylinder 25 will cause the agitator 31 at thelower end thereof to spin around therethrough thoroughly stirring andmixing the beverage contained in the receptacle 17. In this modificationa pressure retaining valve 32 may be provided to prevent the How ofbeverage therefrom when the pressure is reduced below a predeterminedamount.

'lhe modification shown in Fig. 4 is quite similar to that immediatelyabove described but is particularly designed for dispensing beverageswhich are not to be carbonated and with which it is desirable to keepthe compr ssed air out of contact. F or this purpose the pipe it iscentrally disposed with respect to the receptacle 1? and is providedwith a follower plate 35 closely fitting the pipe 1st and the adjacentwalls of the receptacle. The pipe 26 admitting compressed air from thechamber or cylinder 25 forces this plat 35 downwarc ly, consequentlyurging the liquid up through the pipe 11 and thence to the outlet-at alltimes keeping the liquid out of contact witn the compressed air.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a diagrammatic transverse sectional view of thepreferred arrangement of the apparatus designed for use in connectionwith soda-fountains. In this arrangement the casing is provided withpartitions 36 within which a plurality of beverage containers 1? areplaced. Disposed centrally with respect to these receptacles is a singlelarge compressed air or carbon dioxid cylinder 25, as the case may be,communicating with the receptacles 17, each of which is provided withits individual outlet. The casing 10 is of course of insulated materialand each chamber formed by the partition 36 constitutes a vacuum chamberwithin which the receptacle 17 is positioned, each chamber beingprotected on two sides by the adjacent vacuum chambers, and in this wayincreases the efficiency of the device in that the temperature willremain at a low degree for a relatively longer time.

From the above it is believed that the construction, method of use andoperation of the device will be clear. The apparatus is simple andpractical, inexpensive to manufacture and operate, and is designed toaccomplish, among others, all of the objects and advantages herein setforth.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthis invention that others can by applying current knowledge readilyadapt it for various applications without omitting certain featuresthat, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention,and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of thefollowing claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed in combination, an insulated casing provided with an inletopening. a receptacle contained in said casing from which beverages areadapted to be dispensed, an outlet pipe from said receptacle having'acontrolling faucet outside of said casing, an air valve for controllingthe pressure within the casing, and a second air valve for controllingthe pressure within the receptacle.

2. In an apparatus of the character described in combination, a doublewall insulated casing, a receptacle adapted to contain a beverage to bedispensed positioned within said casing and spaced apart from the wallsthereof, an outlet tube from said receptacle provided with controllingmeans outside of said casing, means for decreasing the pressure in thespace within the casing surrounding the receptacle, and means forcarbonating the beverages dispensed from said receptacle.

3. In an apparatus of the character described in combination, a doublewall insulated casing provided with an inlet opening, a receptacleadapted to contain beverages to be dispensed positioned within saidcasing in spaced relation with respect to the walls thereof, an outletpipe from said receptacle, a second receptacle within said casingadapted to contain carbonating gas, a pressure regulator in theconnecting pipe between said receptacles, and means for decreasing thepressure in the space surrounding said receptacles within the casing.

4. In an apparatus of the character described in combination, a doublewall insulated casing provided with an inlet opening, a receptacleadapted to contain beverages to be dispensed positioned within saidcasing in spaced relation with respect to the walls thereof, an outletpipe from said receptacle, a second receptacle within said casingadapted to contain carbonating gas, a pressure regulator in theconnecting pipe between said receptacles, and an agitator within thefirst mentioned receptacle adapted to be actuated by the flow ofcarbonating gas in the said receptacle.

5. In an apparatus of the character described in combination, aninsulated casing provided with an inlet opening, a receptacle withinsaid casing adapted to contain a beverage to be dispensed, a gas chamberwithin said casin g, communicating means between the gas chamber and thelower part of said receptacle, and an agitator in the lower part of thecommunicating means and adapted to stir the liquid as the gas passesfrom said chamber into said receptacle, and means associated with theinsulated casing adapted to reduce the pressure within said casing whenthe opening therein is closed.

In testimony whereof I a'liix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JERONE JOSIAH EDMUNDSON.

Witnesses:

F. L. BROWNE, E. F. CAMP.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 3). C.

